Ok, so you're probably wondering where on earth I am going with this post. Right? Well, I won't keep you in suspense. I read something about God and about prayer that I wanted to share with you before I go to bed and close my eyes...though I can assure you that I will not be wishing upon any stars. Wouldn't that be idolatrous? The sad thing is that our way of thinking is often idolatrous. Sure, we believe in God and we pray...but how do we respond when the outcome is not what we were asking for?
Perhaps you've experienced something similar to what I have...you know, when you think you know better than God does? Have you ever cried bitter tears because God's answer was "No"? Have you questioned his wisdom? I have been there. It's tough to admit but in the course of the past year alone, I have thought several times that my ideas of the way things should go were better than the way God was doing them. What little faith! What meager understanding! Sometimes, from our point of view, we can think we have the perfect plan all figured out...and when God's plans are different, we are disappointed. How much we have to learn about trusting our great and awesome God!
Here is that quote from a book I just started reading by Bryan Chapell called "Praying Backwards".
"Two problems immediately arise when we treat prayer like a surefire wishing star. First, we limit God by the wisdom of our wishes. If God were really obligated to do what we think should happen, then God would be tethered to the leash of our understanding. Our wishes would fence God's omniscience within the limits of our brain and restrict his plans to the extent of our insight. But if our wisdom defines the limits of God's, then our world will inevitably unravel. The job we may want for extra income may take us from the family that God knows needs us more. The immediate cure for our sickness may deny doctors an insight that would save millions or may deprive us of the patience that God will use to bring Jesus into the hearts of our children. We must trust God more than our wishes or concede that our world will be controlled by billions of competing wishes that we have neither the power nor the wisdom to control...
...The godliest and most prayerful people know from experience the meaning of disappointment, grief, failure, rejection, betrayal, incapacity, and illness. In this fallen world you cannot avoid suffering; you can have peace in the midst of it. You cannot avoid trials; you can have confidence of their purpose. You cannot bind God by your prayers; you can guarantee his blessing. You cannot direct the will of God; you can pray according to his will and rest in the assurance of his love. You can pray knowing that God will marshal the powers of heaven to accomplish on earth all he knows is best for your eternity."
Be encouraged. Things may not be turning out as you thought they would but God has not forgotten about you. His wisdom and power are infinite and he is working out his plans for your life.
God knows far better than we do what will be best for his dear children. We can trust him completely.
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